5.3: Cellular Respiration
- Page ID
- 133645
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)There are many ways to rebuild and recycle ATP, but not all methods are created equal nor are they free. Cells must bring in energy in order to rebuild ATP. They do this by bringing in and using the chemical energy stored in molecules such as glucose.
Cellular respiration is one process used to rebuild ATP by using the chemical energy stored in glucose. Glucose will go through a series of chemical reactions to move high energy electrons and hydrogen ions. Cellular respiration is aerobic, meaning the final electron acceptor is oxygen. This is why we rely on breathing in oxygen, as most of our ATP is produced by cellular respiration.
Cellular respiration is composed of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (or Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell, while the citric acid cycle and electron transport chain both occur inside the mitochondria.

"Cellular Respiration" by Karen Marks, Reedley College is licensed under CC BY 4.0
For this activity, we will assess your ability to undergo cellular respiration. Remember that cellular respiration will use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide forms an acid called carbonic acid when mixed with water. This acid can be easily detected with a pH indicator such as bromothymol blue. You will be performing an experiment to view how physical activity changes the rate of cellular respiration.
First let’s formulate a hypothesis. In the table below, rank each activity from fastest (1) to slowest (3) rate of respiration.
|
Activity |
Rank (1 = fastest, 3 = slowest) |
|---|---|
|
Rest |
|
|
Slow Walk |
|
|
Fast Walk |
For the following procedure, you and your lab partner will both complete the following procedure. You may want to have one participant go first, and then have the second participant go after.
Materials:
- 6 test tubes, labeled (3 per person)
- 1 transfer pipette
- Bromothymol blue (may substitute with phenol red)
- 2 drinking straws (1 per person, different colors)
Make sure you only use your own straw for this exercise to prevent the spread of germs. Do not inhale, aspirate, or drink the bromothymol blue.
Procedure:
- Label your test tubes according to the activities listed in Table 5.2
- Add 1 mL of bromothymol blue to each tube.
- Sit or stand still at your table for 30 seconds.
- Place the straw in your “Rest” tube and prepare a timer.
- Record how long it takes for the bromothymol blue to turn yellow while gently blowing into the straw.
- Walk for 30 seconds. (You may want to do this in the hallway.)
- Repeat steps 4-5 with your tube labeled “Slow Walk”.
- Walk outside, and walk at a faster than normal pace around the building.
- Repeat steps 4-5 with your tube labeled “Fast Walk”.
|
Name of Each Participant |
Time (s) | ||
| Rest | Slow Walk | Fast Walk | |
Now, let’s graph both your and your partner’s data in the graph below. Make a line graph using the data from Table 5.2. Make sure to color code yours and your partner’s data and label both the x and y axis.
Graph 5.1
Title:_____________________
|
Name |
Color |
|---|---|
Was your hypothesis supported? If yes, how does your data support it? If not, justify your reasoning.


